You do not need any form of Driving Licence/Permit to 'drive' a narrow boat in the UK.
If you intend driving on the roads, you will need a Driving Licence. Please check in advance of your holiday if there are any specific restrictions, however the basic guide below should give an indication of the current regulations.
Customers from Northern Ireland and European (EU/EEA) countries* may drive in the UK using their Standardised European Driving Licence, for the classes of vehicle indicated on the licence, for as long as the licence remains valid.
Customers from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man** may drive on their existing licence for a maximum of 12 months from last entering the UK provided the licence is still in date.
Customers from everywhere else may drive 'small vehicles', such as a car or motorcycle as indicated on their existing licence for up to 12 months from the date they entered the UK. You may drive larger vehicles in the UK, if you have driven them into the UK.
TIP - Further information on driving in the UK on a foreign licence can be found here.
* Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden
** Customers from the Isle of Man are politely reminded that we have 'speed limits' here in the UK :-)